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Home ▸ Special Events ▸ French Quarter Fest ▸ Mayor Cantrell, City of New Orleans Prepare for French Quarter Fest, Issue Traffic and Transportatio

French Quarter Fest Updates

Thu
Apr 13
2023
10:00 AM through Sunday 9:00 PM
French Quarter Fest

Mayor Cantrell, City of New Orleans Prepare for French Quarter Fest, Issue Traffic and Transportation Reminders 

Mayor Cantrell and City officials announced public safety measures in place ahead of French Quarter Fest, which is expected to bring a large number of visitors to New Orleans. Residents are encouraged to prepare for heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic and to celebrate safely throughout the weekend. 

More than 20 stages throughout the French Quarter celebrate local music and represent every genre from traditional and contemporary jazz to R&B, New Orleans funk, brass bands, folk, gospel, Latin, Zydeco, classical, cabaret, and international. Events associated with French Quarter Fest will take place in New Orleans Thursday, April 13 through Sunday, April 16, with the French Quarter Fest Opening Day Parade on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. and the Opening Day Ceremony held at 11:00 a.m. in Jackson Square shortly after.  Additional details about festival events are available at frenchquarterfest.org. 

The New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (NOHSEP) will activate the City’s Event Command Post, staffed by representatives from public safety agencies, to monitor events. NOHSEP will also be in contact with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and the State Police’s Fusion Center to ensure public safety.

NOHSEP will be monitoring the weather in partnership with the National Weather Service throughout the weekend. To follow real time weather forecasts, visit weatherwise.nola.gov.

Traffic Restrictions 

In anticipation of large crowds, the New Orleans Police Department will restrict traffic to ensure the safety of pedestrians. Additional intermittent street closures might be required as crowd size warrants.

From 5:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Bourbon St from Iberville to St. Ann streets will be closed to vehicular traffic.  Public safety officials will screen vehicles entering the French Quarter on within the perimeter of Iberville, Decatur, Dumaine and Rampart Streets. Only residents, employees, hotel guests, and taxis or ride hailing services will be allowed to drive vehicles into the French Quarter.

Additionally, from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, the following streets and intersections will be closed to traffic: Canal from Chartres to Burgundy Streets; Rampart from Iberville to St. Ann Streets; Decatur from Conti to Dumaine Streets; and intersection of N. Peters St and Canal St.

French Quarter Fest Opening Day Parade

Street closures will also be in place along the route of the French Quarter Fest Opening Day Parade on the morning of Thursday, April 13. The parade will begin at 10:00 a.m. on the 200 Block of Bourbon St. and will proceed down St. Ann St. to Jackson Square for the Annual Opening Day Ceremony at the GE Stage.

The parade will take the following route:

  • Begin at Iberville St. and Bourbon St.
  • Continue on Bourbon St. to St. Ann St.
  • Right on St. Ann St. to Chartres St.
  • Right on Chartres St. to Jackson Square
  • End inside Jackson Square.

Parking Restrictions 

No parking zones will be in place starting Thursday, April 13 at 12:00 p.m. through Monday, April 17 at 1:00 a.m. The no parking zones will be located on the 700 and 800 blocks on Dauphine and Royal Streets, on both sides of the following streets: Iberville St., Bienville St., Conti St., St. Louis St., Toulouse St., St. Peter St., Orleans St., and St. Ann St. Residents and visitors are reminded to always follow posted signs.

Parking enforcement personnel will be monitoring for illegal parking: 

  • Do not block or park within 15 feet fire hydrants, block or park within 3 feet of driveways, block sidewalks, or park in fire lanes. 
  • Do not park in bike lanes. 
  • Do not park within 20 feet of a crosswalk, intersection, or stop sign. 
  • Call 504-658-8100 for 24 hour parking enforcement. 

Transportation Impacts 

In anticipation of increased ridership during weekend events, the Regional Transit Authority encourages riders to plan ahead and pre-purchase fare.

RTA Ferry Service (Canal Street/Algiers Point):

  • Thursday service will be suspended due to river shut down due to fireworks display, 7:30 - 8:45 PM. Thursday service will be extended to allow for the last trip to leave the Canal Terminal at 9:15 PM.
  • Second vessel to enter service when ridership requires.
  • Frequency of departures may change during peak service hours. 

Download the LePass app to plan your trip, check service alerts, purchase fares, and track your bus or streetcar in real-time. For up-to-date service information and more, visit the agency's website at www.norta.com or call Rideline (5 AM to 8 PM daily) at 504-248-3900. 

Due to heavy pedestrian and vehicular activity, the City of New Orleans recommends that residents avoid driving through the French Quarter area if not involved in festivities. Residents and festival attendees are encouraged to use rideshare, public transportation, and bicycling to attend French Quarter Fest if possible.

Safety Reminders 

As always during major special events, residents and visitors are encouraged to take care in large crowds and to report suspicious activity to public safety officials.

Details on special events are available at ready.nola.gov/events. Residents and visitors are also encouraged to follow us on social media @nolaready and sign up for emergency alerts by texting NOLAREADY to 77295.